MTV’s Video Music Awards aired Sunday, and audiences are buzzing about the night’s highlights. Some of the hottest moments include Bad Bunny kissing his backup dancer and Nicki Minaj receiving the Video Vanguard Award. And of course, you can’t forget the outfits, which range from chic to visually startling. One of the biggest awards of the night—Video of the Year—had quite a few strong contenders, however.
Way 2 Sexy — Drake ft. Future, Young Thug
This is another video showing everyone why Drizzy is the hip-hop King of the Memes. “Way 2 Sexy” shows Drake strutting around in a variety of costumes. Future and Young Thugs are also in the video, showing off their “funny” side, though they both look somewhat uncomfortable. Every other scene contains a pop culture reference. Drizzy, however, isn’t the first artist to cram a bunch of references into a music video. While the video is funny, it lacks originality, which could explain why it didn’t win in this category.
brutal – Olivia Rodrigo
There comes a time in every young pop star’s life when they become aware of the constant exploitation in the music industry. For N’Sync, it was “Bye Bye Bye.” For Pink, it was “Don’t Let Me Get Me.” Stepping out of the shadow of Disney Channel, this is Olivia Rodrigo’s take on that time-honored tradition. The 19-year-old wants the world to know that she’s vulnerable and unsure of her place in the world, like most adults. The video features Rodrigo stumbling through various settings as she sings about the woes of being in the public eye. With intentionally low-res edits and shaky camera work, the video conveys Rodrigo’s confusion about adulthood in the limelight. However, this wasn’t enough to secure the win. Damn, I guess it really is brutal out here.
Shivers — Ed Sheeran
The best way to describe the video for this song, is cute, quirky, and aesthetically overwhelming. The video, starring Ed and actress Anna Sophia Robb, starts off normally enough with a meet cute in a diner. Things quickly go off the rails, as Ed Sheeran is immediately hit by a train—a metaphor for what it feels like to fall in love. The pair prance about dressed in Elton John-inspired garb in a variety of psychedelic settings. Though the song is a sweet dedication to his wife, the story isn’t as cohesive as some other entries.
As It Was — Harry Styles
This video, directed by Ukrainian filmmaker Tanu Muino, shows Harry Styles dancing in a sparkling red jumpsuit with model Mathilde Lin. Though the video is simple, it perfectly complements the song’s theme of isolation and change. However, it’s not visually stimulating enough to beat out the other nominees.
Woman – Doja Cat
Doja Cat’s “Planet Her” is the rapper’s visual magnum opus at this point in her career. Any video from her album could have been nominated in this category, and no one would think twice about it. In this particular video, Doja is a seductress called upon by Queen Teyona Taylor to seduce men trying to dethrone her. Everything about the video, from the costumes to the choreography and cinematography, is on point. The concept is thematically relevant, as the song is meant to be an anthem for strong women everywhere. The only thing that stopped Doja from snagging this award is that, while the video is stunning and uplifting, it doesn’t give you much to think about.
INDUSTRY BABY – Lil Nas X ft. Jack Harlow
What do you get when you cross Lil Nas X with legendary choreographer Sean Bankhead? You get Nas and Jack Harlow’s viral music video for “INDUSTRY BABY.” In the video, the imprisoned rappers are accompanied by other inmates dressed in pink jumpsuits. At one point, Lil Nas X and the other inmates dance naked in the shower—a scene that either offends or intrigues viewers. This video is a provocative look at the intersection of prison culture and sexuality. Lil Nas X revels in being a provocateur, and this is a prime example of that spirit. It was the strongest contender for Video of the Year, but it didn’t make the cut.
Winner: All Too Well (Taylor’s Version) — Taylor Swift
While Taylor Swift is no stranger to the director’s chair, this is the first time she directed a short film. And according to her fans and MTV, she knocked it out of the park. “All Too Well” tells the story of a 19-year-old, played by “Stranger Things” actress Sadie Sink, who falls in love with an older man, played by “Teen Wolf” star Dylan O’Brien. The story allegedly reflects Swift’s own dating experience, as when she was 19, she briefly dated actor Jake Gyllenhaal. This context might explain why the video stands out among the rest. In recent years, there’s been talk about toxicity in some relationships with wide age gaps. The video shows the main character’s ups and down as Sink’s character struggles with an increasing feeling of alienation. When she’s around his friends, she can’t relate because she’s so young. There is also an argument mid-video that confronts the issue of the older man’s behavior when he’s around his friends. He smooths things over again and again, but it never solves the root of the problem—the age gap itself. The video has a bittersweet ending. It ends with Taylor as an older version of Sadie Sink’s character, reflecting on her experiences to a crowd of young women.
This marks Swift’s 14th MTV VMA win. Though she beat out every other video nominated, it doesn’t take away from the artistic efforts of the musicians or the cast and crew who contributed.
